How Do You Prevent Fears? Like Fireworks?

[mowgliandme]

My puppy isn’t really the fearful type and I’m probably an overly positive socialiser…so if theres something new she hasn’t seen or heard before - I try to give her treats before she has time to react to it and form an opinion of it

So right now there are fireworks going on, she's getting treats for either working with me on obedience/tricks or for just ignoring them. We do the same thing with sirens or even dogs on the street because a lot of dogs near me are very vocal and reactive and i don't want her to try to join in on the idea of lunging, barking and pulling at the leash to get to them. (Which she doesn't - she looks at me whenever theres a dog now)

Is this what i should be doing or do you do recommend something else? I just want her to grow up to be a very happy confident dog that isnt scared of fireworks and thunderstorms or anything else for that matter :)

[RuralPug]

You're doing just fine!!

[Two Best Dogs!]

I do exactly that when novel things are happening and I want to prevent fear :laugh: Distract with tricks and reward ignoring/settling down/being calm

[Scrappi&Monty]

Sounds like you're doing very well! That's exactly what I wish I could've done! :-) My pup is 1yo and got him at 6mths from RSPCA, he's a lovely dog but needed a LOT of training to become less anxious. Previous owner hadn't done any training at all. Monty had quite bad separation anxiety and gets worried about some loud noises, he also is wary/scared of most new dogs (despite being a bigger dog!)

I believe that socialisation, especially with things like that, are essential and my top priority with puppies from day dot. Makes life for you and pup so much easier and happier! You seem to be doing a terrific job! :-)

[persephone]

Good planning! :)

[Rebanne]

I do all that with my pups but yet to my surprise, Phoebe who is nearly 2 1/2, at the last fireworks we had, was greatly upset by them. I was out in the yard with both dogs feeding them treats but Phoebe was snatching them out of my hand and running to the back door throwing herself onto it. As I was going to work I did let them both in and crated her for the night. New Years Eve I plan to be outside again with them to gauge her reaction.

[mowgliandme]

Thanks everyone :) she's pretty happy, confident and calm 99% of the time!

Ive found it pretty useful so far in terms of neutralising her to some things too, so she doesn't bat an eyelid at bikes, scooters or prams etc

She does very occasionally get a fright and bark at odd noises but seems to be mostly if they catch her completely by surprise or if they're really odd noises that even i haven't heard before! She also went through a fear period where she barked at random things that have been around for ages...like a pot plant in the garden or the bag of dog food, but she stopped and explored it if i went up to it and said "thats not scary is it?!" in a happy voice :)

I do all that with my pups but yet to my surprise, Phoebe who is nearly 2 1/2, at the last fireworks we had, was greatly upset by them. I was out in the yard with both dogs feeding them treats but Phoebe was snatching them out of my hand and running to the back door throwing herself onto it. As I was going to work I did let them both in and crated her for the night. New Years Eve I plan to be outside again with them to gauge her reaction.

Oh no - i've heard that even with great socialisation they can switch down the track at certain things - heard of few dogs doing that with thunderstorms as they got older

[The Spotted Devil]

When there's a thunderstorm we all go outside for a training session under the verandah - fast snappy sits for cheese or a game of tug. Helps the youngsters when there's a confident adult dog there too. I also play sound CDs and do lots of crashing and banging with my litters. Strictly no creeping around when I have baby puppies!!!

[mowgliandme]

When there's a thunderstorm we all go outside for a training session under the verandah - fast snappy sits for cheese or a game of tug. Helps the youngsters when there's a confident adult dog there too. I also play sound CDs and do lots of crashing and banging with my litters. Strictly no creeping around when I have baby puppies!!!

We do the same thing with thunderstorms - so far she doesn't care at all about them! :)

Funnily enough she is really good with loud crashing, banging noises, renovations and motorbikes etc the couple of times she's barked have been at really quiet noises, like a door slowly moving and when the shower head sometimes slowly moves down and a few drops of water come out?

Showed her both the things and she stopped barking and it hasn't happened again so far - I may play sound CDs super quietly if it continues though

[Papillon Kisses]

I think I may have shared it with you previously, but there's also the Sound Proof Puppy Training App. It's not just for puppies but for adults too. http://www.my-puppy-training.com

NB It's essential to read the instructions to avoid accidentally sensitising your dog.

It doesn't mean we don't do the important socialisation work, but I personally don't think noise phobias can always be prevented.

[mowgliandme]

I think I may have shared it with you previously, but there's also the Sound Proof Puppy Training App. It's not just for puppies but for adults too. http://www.my-puppy-training.com

NB It's essential to read the instructions to avoid accidentally sensitising your dog.

It doesn't mean we don't do the important socialisation work, but I personally don't think noise phobias can always be prevented.

Yep i got that one after your recommendation! :) did that with her a while back but she was very neutral to all the noises on there at the time, may have another go at it today though

[The Spotted Devil]

When I played the traffic noises my Dally barked like crazy! Living in the hills lol

[Scrappi&Monty]

Thanks everyone :) she's pretty happy, confident and calm 99% of the time!

Ive found it pretty useful so far in terms of neutralising her to some things too, so she doesn't bat an eyelid at bikes, scooters or prams etc

She does very occasionally get a fright and bark at odd noises but seems to be mostly if they catch her completely by surprise or if they're really odd noises that even i haven't heard before! She also went through a fear period where she barked at random things that have been around for ages...like a pot plant in the garden or the bag of dog food, but she stopped and explored it if i went up to it and said "thats not scary is it?!" in a happy voice :)

I do all that with my pups but yet to my surprise, Phoebe who is nearly 2 1/2, at the last fireworks we had, was greatly upset by them. I was out in the yard with both dogs feeding them treats but Phoebe was snatching them out of my hand and running to the back door throwing herself onto it. As I was going to work I did let them both in and crated her for the night. New Years Eve I plan to be outside again with them to gauge her reaction.

Oh no - i've heard that even with great socialisation they can switch down the track at certain things - heard of few dogs doing that with thunderstorms as they got older

Scrappi did that, he was never worried about thunderstorms until a few years ago we had a massive storm and flood and everyone got quite distressed which left an impact on him. Now he hides under the bed during storms. He's not that scared but just a little worried.

[bianca.a]

I socialised the snot out of both my dogs from day one but both have later developed severe phobias. Molly was about 2 when she suddenly became scared of thunder. She now associates heavy rain drops with thunder so that sets her off. We have consulted with a veterinary behaviourist and she now gets beta blockers and xanax when there is a storm but she is still a total wreck.

Cooper was about 3 when he became scared of the wind. This is a 42kg GSD who will now not even come into my room if the window is open. It can be still but he sees the open window and panics. He spends an awful lot of his time hiding under my bed.

It's just so horrible to see them so scared. And yes I have tried DAP, thunder shirts and rescue remedy, everything I could get my hands on.

[sandgrubber]

Also . . . don't beat yourself up if your attempts to prevent this sort of fear fail. Some of it is pretty hard wired. Gun shy dogs tend to stay gun shy, though you can modulate the startle response.

My guys, all well-bred gundogs, never had any conditioning. They all love loud noises. Drop a pan and they'll run toward you; they've been that way from 8 weeks. Power tools . . . same thing. They sleep through fireworks and thunderstorms. My mother had a dog who barked at thunderstorms, as if trying to scare them away. I take no credit for this . . . it's in the bloodlines.

[mowgliandme]

I agree with sandgrubber too! I'm not saying these are what you should do/should have done etc - im was trying to find out if there is a way to prevent them? :)

At some point its out of my control (my dog can have a bad experience when im not even home) and genetic too

i have found the treats for calmness or obedience when seeing new distractions is more for her being able to work with me in all settings and neutralisation rather than a "phobia preventing idea"

Edited December 14, 2016 by mowgliandme

[corvus]

Just mind arousal and don't get her too too excited. I have one dog that went from being fine with thunder to being terrified of thunder at about 5 years old. It was abrupt, but not sudden as if it was a single event. Over the course of about 3-4 storms he just got worse and then he wouldn't take food at all. It turns out 3-5 is actually when most noise phobias develop. Who knew?? I'd never experienced it before.

My newest dog was fine with her first thunderstorms, but has since decided that if Erik is going to run around barking at them, then she should as well. Because she's not afraid exactly, she is quite open to doing other things instead, but if she starts getting excited about earning food, then she gets barky anyway, and then she switches to barking at the thunder. Better to work on quiet duration behaviours to keep that arousal down. Ideally, I'd not use food, but use play instead. Not with objects, but pushing and catching toes and tails and tickling. It's super socially engaging and positive, but not much vocalising and they are usually good at staying pretty quiet about it when they have to try not to hurt you.

[The Spotted Devil]

One of my Gundogs - LOVES guns because they represent FUN, sleeps through thunderstorms but HATES hammering on the deck and me using a meat cleaver. I suspect it's the vibrations rather than the noise but it's hard to be sure.

[mowgliandme]

Just mind arousal and don't get her too too excited. I have one dog that went from being fine with thunder to being terrified of thunder at about 5 years old. It was abrupt, but not sudden as if it was a single event. Over the course of about 3-4 storms he just got worse and then he wouldn't take food at all. It turns out 3-5 is actually when most noise phobias develop. Who knew?? I'd never experienced it before.

My newest dog was fine with her first thunderstorms, but has since decided that if Erik is going to run around barking at them, then she should as well. Because she's not afraid exactly, she is quite open to doing other things instead, but if she starts getting excited about earning food, then she gets barky anyway, and then she switches to barking at the thunder. Better to work on quiet duration behaviours to keep that arousal down. Ideally, I'd not use food, but use play instead. Not with objects, but pushing and catching toes and tails and tickling. It's super socially engaging and positive, but not much vocalising and they are usually good at staying pretty quiet about it when they have to try not to hurt you.

Thanks corvus :) shes not really a foodie so doesn't tend to get very excited over it? (but still likes working for it though) she gets more excited with playing with toys/or a ball...?

Apart from that shes very mellow so i think id have trouble getting her too excited

[mowgliandme]

One of my Gundogs - LOVES guns because they represent FUN, sleeps through thunderstorms but HATES hammering on the deck and me using a meat cleaver. I suspect it's the vibrations rather than the noise but it's hard to be sure.

Mine seems to LOVE loud noises in general, pots falling, people yelling -she's there looking cheerful!

In that horrible obedience class, the instructor decided to demonstrate a loud "uh ah" which was meant to be a correction, all the dogs turn around looking worried she's sitting there trying to see what all the fun is about...oops

That's probably because we are very softly spoken in our house and the only time we would be even a tiny bit louder is if we are playing with her

Edited December 14, 2016 by mowgliandme